AZ: Trial Begins in Woman’s Macabre Murder of Boyfriend

(CBS/AP) PHOENIX – The trial of Jodi Arias, an aspiring Arizona photographer charged in the shooting and stabbing death of her boyfriend Travis Alexander, is scheduled to begin Wednesday.

On June 4, 2008, Alexander was found dead in a shower in his Mesa home. He had been shot in the face, his throat was slit from ear to ea, and he’d been stabbed 27 times.

Arias originally told police two people had broken into the house, murdering Alexander and attacking her, but she later changed her story to claim she killed Alexander in self-defense. Prosecutors argue the actions were those of a jealous woman who brutally attacked the 30-year-old Alexander after he tried to end their relationship.

Police said they found potentially damning evidence during their investigation, according to CBS affiliate KPHO. A camera was found in a washing machine, an obvious attempt to erase images of the pair, they said. There were also time-stamped photos allegedly showing Alexander’s lifeless body just seconds after risque images showing the two naked together in his home.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, and Arias could become the fourth female on Arizona’s death row if she is convicted.